Chicago Bears: 3 players to watch in preseason opener

No. 2: Kevin Toliver

I know. Some of you are probably saying “who?”

Kevin Toliver, an undrafted cornerback out of LSU, has been making big waves in the first weeks of Bears camp.

In the first two days of Bears camp, Toliver reportedly had two interceptions. Most undrafted free agents are brought in as depth, but Toliver has stood out as a primary performer thus far with the Bears.

In three seasons in Baton Rouge, Toliver recorded just two interceptions. However, the potential has always been there, as Toliver is a former five-star recruit out of High School.

As aforementioned, most starters won’t play past the first quarter of Thursdays game. That gives Toliver a big opportunity to shine in what will likely be at least two quarters of play.

Toliver was not listed among the first three strings of Bears cornerbacks on the first depth chart, so it’s clear that the undrafted corner will need to play his way onto the team.

While Toliver’s emergence in camp is big, everything changes against real competition. If Toliver is really the type of performer that his performance in camp has shown, he’ll need to validate it with a big showing on Thursday.

If not, then he’ll all but prove that three underachieving college seasons are all he’s got.